Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Dear Parents,

1) Following the visit today of medical staff from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), we have been asked to close Middle School for seven days starting tomorrow (Thursday, August 27). Please do not send your Middle School son or daughter to school tomorrow or to after-school activities until further notice.

2) High School, Upper Primary and Lower Primary divisions will hold classes as usual. Their absences are within the normal expected range. CHP treats each division of HKIS separately because each is housed in its own building. Therefore, CHP will take appropriate action based on the situation within each division at HKIS.

3) The CHP medical staff visited today in response to the higher number of student absences due to illness in the Middle School. They are satisfied with our cleaning and other procedures that help prevent the spread of disease. They are calling parents of absent students to ask about their children’s illnesses.

CHP cautioned there are several different viruses in circulation. Clinical tests are required to confirm the presence of the H1N1 virus. Previously we reported six cases of H1N1 based on parents’/doctors’ reports. CHP is in touch with each family to learn about each of the above six cases and confirm the diagnosis of them. So far they have confirmed only two cases.

The Hong Kong Government Department of Health's (DH) assessment of H1N1 continues to be that it is a new virus and transmitting easily through the population, but it causes relatively mild illness in most cases.

Please be assured that we are taking all possible steps to safeguard the health of students and staff. Maintaining a healthy school environment is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will keep you informed of any developments.

From tomorrow, for High School, Upper Primary and Lower Primary we are stepping up daily temperature monitoring of students and staff at school gates. Any student with a temperature or those who appear unwell on arrival at school will be sent home.
This applies to all in our community - students, faculty, staff and parents

New Health Procedures for Students

From tomorrow (Thursday, August 27) parents must check their children's temperatures before they leave for school and fill out the temperature check form here. Students must turn in their forms when they enter school.

 Children should not attend school if:
 - Their temperature is over 37.5 degrees (99.5 F), or
 - They feel unwell (coughs, sore throats,  
    headaches, general aches and pains).

If children become ill during the school day, they will be sent to the school nurse. The nurse will notify parents and ask them to pick up their children from school. 
To reduce the risk of spreading H1N1, we also require you to pay attention to and carry out the following measures: 

 - If your child develops symptoms of H1N1, you must notify your child's divisional office immediately to facilitate our taking appropriate measures and notifying the CHP and the Education Bureau.

 - If your child has had H1N1, he/she should not attend school unless
he/she has fully recovered and is cleared to do so by the CHP. No child should return to school unless they have had at least two full days without a fever.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in providing a safe learning environment for your child.

Sincerely,

Richard W. Mueller
Head of School